• Mayor Oh engages local fans and travelers at “Seoul My Soul in Kuala Lumpur“
• K-pop, beauty, and food experiences highlight Seoul’s lifestyle appeal for the MZ generation
• Malaysian tourist arrivals recover to over 90% of pre-COVID levels as Seoul expands regional marketing”
• Mayor meets Malaysian alumni of Korean universities and emphasizes ongoing exchange and global cooperation

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — After completing his visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon traveled to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday the 7th to attend “Seoul My Soul in Kuala Lumpur“ a premier tourism-promotion event held at Fahrenheit88 shopping mall in the city center. More than 1,000 Malaysian visitors, including K-culture fans, participated.

Mayor Oh also met with members of AGIKO, Malaysia’s largest Korean-study alumni association, expressing gratitude for their long-standing role as goodwill ambassadors who have deepened cultural and academic ties between the two countries.

<"Seouliday," a Seoul-Style Holiday Enjoyed in Malaysia — Mayor Oh’s Surprise Appearance at the Seoul Goods Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony >

Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organization (CEO: Gil Ki-yeon), the “Seouliday” program recreated the experience of enjoying a holiday like a Seoulite, showcasing Seoul’s strengths as a global cultural hub in a single venue designed for the MZ generation.

Experiential zones and dynamic performances reflecting Seoul’s lifestyle, including the K-Beauty Zone, K-Food Zone, Seoul Brand Photo Zone, K-Tigers Taekwondo Performance, celebratory stages by local cover dance teams and social media participation events, drew enthusiastic visitors throughout the day.

Large crowds gathered for a K-makeup show featuring local influencers. The photo booths themed around Seoul’s official character Haechi and Seoul tourism promotional model Jennie (JENNIE), as well as K-snack tastings and giveaways sponsored by Nongshim Co., Ltd., were met with enthusiastic responses and quickly ran out.

At the official ceremony at 4:00 p.m. (local time), Mayor Oh made a surprise appearance and took part in the Seoul Goods Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. As images of iconic Seoul landmarks  such as Namsan Seoul Tower and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) appeared through films and animation, the local audience responded with loud cheers.

The festive atmosphere continued with a Seoul tourism prize drawing and a “K-pop point choreography” session where participants learned dance moves.

In connection with the event, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been operating a Haechi photo zone since last month and running a “Send a Christmas Card from Seoul Landmarks” campaign for Kuala Lumpur citizens who enthusiastically celebrate Christmas.

Demand for free independent travel (FIT) among Malaysian families and friend groups has been rising alongside the spread of Hallyu culture. Malaysian arrivals to Korea reached 215,000 this year (as of September), marking an 84% recovery of pre-COVID levels. Seoul plans to strengthen localized tourism-marketing efforts.

According to last year’s Overseas Hallyu Survey conducted by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), more than 80% of Malaysian respondents expressed favorable views of Korean popular culture. Their weekly consumption of K-content averaged 4.6 hours, exceeding the Asia-regional average of 3.8 hours. K-content and Seoul-related hashtags (#Seoul, #VisitSeoul, etc.) are rapidly increasing on social media platforms such as Reels and short-form videos.

Gil Ki-yeon, CEO of the Seoul Tourism Organization, stated, “Malaysia is a key market with strong interest in Hallyu and growing demand for independent travel. We hope that this ‘Seouliday’ event allowed visitors to experience the unique charm of Seoul firsthand.” He added, “We will continue to strengthen experiential marketing that communicates directly with local audiences to enhance Seoul’s tourism competitiveness.”

Prior to the event, at 1:00 p.m. (local time), Mayor Oh attended a meeting with the Malaysian Korean-study alumni association. AGIKO (Alumni Society of Korean Institutional Graduates), a professional talent network of around 2,900 alumni who earned degrees from Korean universities and graduate schools, has served as a bridge for cooperation between Korea and Malaysia across multiple fields since its establishment in 2014.

The meeting brought together Mayor Oh and the Seoul delegation with around 70 AGIKO members to foster mutual exchange and explore directions for future cooperation. Alumni shared how their time in Seoul influenced their career choices and personal growth, expressing hopes that ongoing engagement with Seoul would further invigorate the bilateral human network.

Building on this meeting, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to further solidify its ties with Korean-study alumni in Malaysia and continue collaborating with alumni communities worldwide to expand its global human network.

In his remarks, Mayor Oh said, “Though you live far from Seoul, you are valued members of our extended Seoul community and an enduring bridge between our two countries. I am deeply proud that the experiences and knowledge you gained in Seoul are now shining throughout Malaysian society.” He added, “The Seoul Metropolitan Government will continue to cherish its bonds with alumni and promote ongoing communication and support.”

HA NOI, Viet Nam, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Japan’s strong institutional foundations and advances in data capability continue to anchor its position as one of Asia Pacific’s leading governments, as highlighted at yesterday’s regional knowledge-sharing forum for the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) 2025. The forum, hosted by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG) and the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG), reviewed regional trends alongside Japan’s performance.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/chandler-institute-of-governance/9372451-en-chandler-good-government-index-2025 

Now in its fifth year, the CGGI measures government capabilities and outcomes in 120 countries. It provides comparative benchmarks across seven pillars, covering Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People Rise.

Watch the Forum Recording: https://bit.ly/4pDMwcX
Explore the CGGI Reports and Data: https://chandlergovernmentindex.com/ 
Download the Presentation Here 

Japan: strong institutional performance with advances in digital capability

Japan ranks 19^th in the CGGI 2025, continuing its long-standing top 20 performance. Over five years, results reflect stability and targeted improvements in critical governance areas.

One key gain is in data capability, now ranking 1^st globally, up from 16^th in 2021. This places Japan alongside leading digital governments including Australia, Denmark, and Estonia. The improvement reflects continued investment in digital transformation, including reforms by Digital Agency to streamline services, integrate systems, and improve accessibility.

The country also stands out for its strong legal and institutional framework. In 2025, Japan ranks:

• 17^th globally in the Robust Laws and Policies pillar, up two places since 2021
• 20^th globally in the Strong Institutions pillar, also up two places; and
• 12^th in the Helping People Rise pillar, reflecting strong performance in health, personal safety and other social indicators.

Speaking at the forum, Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at CIG, noted that Japan’s sustained investment in institutional quality remains critical as the government navigates changes in demographics, technology and service delivery expectations. “Japan’s example shows that strong institutions, when combined with strategic reform, can provide an effective foundation for future growth,” Naidu said.

Asia Pacific: diverse trajectories with strong performers

Asia Pacific remains one of the most diverse governance regions in the Index. In 2025, Singapore (1), Australia (12), New Zealand (13), South Korea (17) and Japan (19) were the region’s top five performers, demonstrating multi-year consistency rooted in strong institutions and long-term planning. Japan remains an integral part of this group of regional leaders, shaping policy discourse through its administrative quality, regulatory standards and contributions to regional cooperation.

Among emerging economies, Mongolia stands out for its upward trajectory, rising from 88^th in 2021 to 76^th in 2025, with gains in Leadership and Foresight and improvements to digital service delivery under its Vision 2050 strategy.

These developments reflect a broader global trend: governments that invest in capability see tangible progress relative to their peers. This dynamic is part of what the Index refers to as “governance competition”, where advances in one country raise expectations for others. “The CGGI shows that capability building matters. As countries improve faster, they raise the bar and set new benchmarks for everyone else. Standing still is no longer an option,” Naidu said.

A practical tool for governments

Designed by practitioners for practitioners, the CGGI offers governments practical benchmarks and insights to support long-term capability development. Countries use the Index to understand their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and learn from peers across the region.

“The Index is intended to support governments that are committed to long-term improvement,” Naidu added. “We hope today’s discussions contribute to a stronger, more capable, and future-ready Asia Pacific.”

The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We focus on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.

SINGAPORE and JAKARTA, Indonesia, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Synvo AI, a deep-tech spin-off from MMLab Nanyang Technological University (MMLab@NTU) Singapore, and Sobat Bisnis Group (SBG), a leading Indonesian enterprise technology company with deep ties to the multi-billion-dollar Mayapada Group, announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the commercial adoption of next-generation Artificial Intelligence across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The core of this alliance addresses the critical market gap for enterprise-grade AI that ensures data sovereignty, long-term context retention, and reliable deployment across complex business environments.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifying a joint commitment to long-term AI and digital transformation outcomes was signed by Saim Yeong Harng, CEO and Co-Founder of Synvo AI, and Matthew Setiawan, Chief AI Officer and Co-Founder of SBG, who is also a third-generation leader within the Mayapada Group.

Synvo AI provides the technological foundation, emerging from MMLab@NTU’s globally recognised research with a proprietary Contextual Memory Engine and privacy-preserving intelligence. This stack is uniquely engineered for high-speed processing, massive data retention, and highly secure operations across cloud, private cloud, and fully offline on-premise environments, a key requirement for organizations managing sensitive proprietary data.

SBG, leveraging its existing customer trust and the strategic access afforded by its long-standing relationship with the Mayapada Group, provides the critical market pathway and enterprise end-to-end technology integration expertise. SBG will immediately begin integrating Synvo AI’s capabilities into its solutions for high-impact use cases such as advanced document intelligence, cross-system workflow optimization, and hybrid AI systems that preserve visual-language-model (VLM) context while delivering high task-level accuracy.

This partnership positions Synvo AI for rapid regional expansion while giving SBG a clear technological advantage, amplified by SBG’s strong consulting capabilities and market credibility. The collaboration demonstrates strong commercial momentum, research-backed innovation, and a clear go-to-market strategy to deploy scalable, secure, and context-aware AI, starting in Indonesia.

Saim Yeong Harng, CEO of Synvo AI, said:
“The partnership with SBG allows us to bring deep-tech research into large-scale enterprise deployment. Together, we aim to make AI adoption faster, safer, and more accessible for organisations across the region.”

Matthew Setiawan, Chief AI Officer (CAIO) of SBG, added:
“Synvo AI’s technology gives us a powerful foundation in AI to build solutions that are both cutting-edge and production-ready. This partnership strengthens our ability to help enterprises realise measurable value from AI.”

ABOUT SYNVO AI

Synvo AI is a deep-tech spin-off from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, specialising in multimodal AI, contextual memory systems, and privacy-preserving on-device intelligence. Its mission is to enable enterprises to deploy secure, high-performance AI solutions in privacy-first data-sensitive environments.

ABOUT MMLab@NTU

MMLab@NTU is a world-leading research laboratory at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), driving frontier research in multimedia, computer vision, and deep learning, with contributions spanning foundational AI methods, embodied AI, and real-world visual intelligence applications.

ABOUT SBG

SBG is an Indonesia-based enterprise technology company founded in 2019, providing end-to-end digital transformation, software engineering, and AI solutions to major enterprises in finance, healthcare, retail, and media.

CONTACT: build-greatness@synvo.ai

• The Singapore launch brings Sage’s leading financial management solution to one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs
• Sage Intacct helps finance teams reduce manual work, accelerate decision making and deliver high-performance finance operations across Asia
• Enhanced with AI and Sage Copilot, the launch reinforces Sage’s commitment to helping customers automate, analyse, and act faster across every stage of their financial journey

SINGAPORE, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sage (FTSE: SGE), the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for mid-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced the launch of Sage Intacct in Singapore, to help high-performing finance teams move faster, gain greater control, and lead with impact. Marking a significant expansion of its cloud financial management solution into the dynamic Asia Pacific (APAC) region, Sage Intacct delivers automation and insights that redefine how finance teams across Asia manage their operations.

Across the regions fast-moving markets, finance leaders are under pressure to move quickly, stay compliant, and deliver clear insight across multiple entities and geographies. Sage Intacct brings automation, intelligence, and real-time visibility together in one powerful cloud platform, helping organisations slash their financial close time by up to 70%, simplify complexity and scale with confidence. Crucially, Sage Intacct meets robust localised tax and reporting standards, making it uniquely suited for the specific compliance needs of the region.

“The launch of Sage Intacct in Singapore represents another major step in bringing our most advanced financial management technology to new markets,” said Dan Miller, EVP, Financials and ERP, Sage. “With Sage Intacct powered by AI and with Sage Copilot, we’re giving finance leaders the tools to automate, analyse, and act faster. This expansion is about enabling high-performing businesses to make smarter decisions, drive growth, and scale with confidence.”

Delivering High Performance Finance

Sage Intacct delivers the next chapter of High-Performance Finance to the APAC region. The solution combines automation, AI, and deep financial intelligence to transform how finance teams operate, from simplifying close and consolidation to uncovering insights that drive growth.

For customers, these innovations reduce time spent on manual tasks and increase focus on strategic initiatives. For partners, they create new opportunities to deliver value and scale within a growing cloud ecosystem.

With built-in AI capabilities through Sage Copilot, finance teams can automate complex processes such as reconciliations and anomaly detection, helping to minimise errors and identify opportunities in real time. These intelligent features enable finance leaders to act with confidence, accelerate financial close, and improve accuracy across every level of their organisation.

A Milestone Moment for Mid-Sized Businesses in the APAC region

Acting as a strategic hub for APAC growth, Singapore is home to a vibrant ecosystem of multinational and fast-growing local organisations across sectors such as financial services, professional services, construction, and technology. These organisations often require the ability to grapple with complex multi-entity structures, diverse regulatory environments, and have a growing need for real-time visibility across regional and global markets. 

It is this growing demand that is driving the launch of Sage Intacct. With a local team, Sage currently services over 1,200 Singaporean organisations with ERP and financial solutions. Sage Intacct has been designed to address these challenges, helping finance leaders simplify and automate financial operations and consolidations, improve accuracy, and make faster, data-driven decisions.

“The launch of Sage Intacct in Singapore is an exciting milestone for our mid-market customers and partners across the region,” said Damon Scarr, General Manager for Asia Pacific, Sage. “Singapore’s position as a strategic hub for regional expansion makes it the ideal market to introduce Sage Intacct’s capabilities. This launch demonstrates our ongoing investment in Asia and our commitment to empowering businesses with technology that helps them scale efficiently and confidently.”

“At RSM Singapore, we work closely with ambitious businesses to help them scale with confidence,” said Eileen Tan, Partner at RSM Singapore. “Sage Intacct’s launch in Singapore brings a powerful cloud-native financial management solution to the market that is going to be a game changer to the success of the region.”

Sage Intacct’s launch in Singapore will also offer direct benefits for existing Sage Intacct customers looking to expand into Asia from other geographic locations, providing them with a seamless and integrated financial management solution for their global operations.

To find out more about Sage Intacct visit: https://www.sage.com/en-sg/

About Sage 

Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of Small and Mid-Sized Businesses served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis.  

Notes to editors 

About Sage Intacct 

Sage Intacct is the industry-leading cloud financial management software for small and mid-sized businesses. Built for finance professionals, Sage Intacct automates routine tasks, provides real-time visibility, and offers powerful multi-entity and multi-currency capabilities. Its AI-powered insights and flexible platform help organisations streamline operations, accelerate financial close, and make smarter decisions to drive growth.

Key features and benefits of Sage Intacct include:

• Making informed decisions: Dashboards and reporting give finance teams and business leaders real-time visibility into financials to help them make better, data-driven decisions.
• Simplifying financial operations: Finance teams will no longer need to manage tedious spreadsheet tasks and manual data entry, helping save time and reducing errors.
• Growing with confidence: The scalable platform grows with businesses, allowing them to add functionality as needed without disruptions.
• Enhancing accuracy with intelligent automation: Finance teams can easily harness the power of intelligent automation and machine learning to automate processes like outlier detection, and smart rules for bank reconciliation, thereby improving data accuracy and identifying potential fraud.
• Seamless integration: Finance teams can easily integrate Sage Intacct with other applications using its open architecture and library of APIs.
• Rich partner ecosystem: Customers can access an ecosystem of partners that deliver pre-integrated solutions to extend the capabilities of Sage Intacct via the Sage Intacct Marketplace.
• Multi-entity consolidations and insights: Empowers complex multi-entity businesses to consolidate across global with the click of a button and gives valuable insights for clarity and enhanced efficiency.

Building on a Strong Legacy of Innovation Across APAC

This launch further builds on Sage’s long and rich history in APAC, with deep roots in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and India.

From Sage 300 and Sage X3, which powers some of Asia’s largest banks and manufacturers, to its robust partner ecosystem, Sage has helped tens of thousands of businesses in the region grow.

Singapore’s strategic position as a gateway to new markets and opportunities across Asia reinforces Sage’s continued investment in innovation and regional expansion.

Find out more about Sage in APAC here: https://www.sage.com/en-sg/  

Logo: https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/sage_logo-1.jpg

Award-winning smoky whisky meets refreshing sparkle this Christmas

TAIPEI, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kavalan is ushering in the festive season with its first-ever Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Dry Peated Whisky Highball, a limited-edition release crafted exclusively for Japan and available only at Lawson stores nationwide.

Marrying smoky sophistication with crisp refreshment, it brings Kavalan’s signature elegance into Japan’s beloved highball culture.

Using its award-winning Peated Whisky, crowned “Best of the Best” Single Malt Whisky at the 2024 Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC), Kavalan has created a drink that balances peaty depth with tropical vibrancy.

King Car Group Chairman and Kavalan CEO Mr. Yu-Ting Lee said the new release captures the festive spirit in every sip.

“Whether enjoyed at an izakaya or an outdoor gathering, this limited-edition highball celebrates Japan’s highball tradition while appealing to whisky and cocktail lovers worldwide,” he said. “We’ve used our premium 50–59.9% ABV peated whisky as the base to achieve a perfect harmony of smokiness and fruit-forward notes.”

The Kavalan Bar Cocktail Dry Peated Whisky Highball (320ml, 7% ABV) combines peated whisky with crisp soda water, delivering a refreshing, layered experience with zero added sugar. It will be available nationwide at Lawson stores from mid-December, with a suggested retail price of JPY 528 (tax included).

Embodying the theme “smoky elegance meets refreshing balance,” the design features a deep purple and champagne gold palette, symbolising the fusion of rich smokiness and tropical brightness while reflecting Kavalan’s refined, modern Taiwanese style.

Kavalan Bar Cocktail Dry Peated Whisky Highball

Volume / ABV / Price: 320 ml / 7% ABV / JPY 528 (tax included)
Launch Date: Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Availability: Lawson exclusive, available nationwide in Japan
Excludes Lawson Store 100, non-alcohol Lawson stores, and select locations.

About Kavalan Whisky

Kavalan Distillery in Yilan County has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky in Taiwan since 2005. Our whisky, aged in intense humidity and heat, sources the crystal meltwaters of Snow Mountain and is enhanced by sea and mountain breezes. These conditions combine to create Kavalan’s signature creaminess. Taking Yilan County’s old name, our distillery is backed by more than 45 years of beverage-making under parent company, King Car Group. We have collected 950 gold or higher awards from the industry’s most competitive contests.

About Nihon Shurui Hanbai Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1949, Nihon Shurui Hanbai Co., Ltd. is a Japanese wholesaler specialising in food and alcoholic beverages. As its name suggests, the company is particularly renowned for its strong and extensive network within the liquor industry.

Its business activities include the domestic and international trading, importing, and exporting of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, other beverages, food products, and related raw materials.

CONTACT: 
Kaitlyn Tsai
kaitlyn@kingcar.com.tw 

HA NOI, Viet Nam, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) shows that sustained investment in core capabilities is driving governance gains across Asia Pacific, even as global “governance competition” intensifies. These findings were highlighted yesterday at a regional knowledge-sharing forum in Ha Noi, hosted by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG) and the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG).

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/chandler-institute-of-governance/9372451-en-chandler-good-government-index-2025

Now in its fifth year, the CGGI measures government capabilities and outcomes in 120 countries. It benchmarks national performance across seven pillars: Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People Rise.

Speaking at the forum, Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at CIG, noted the region’s diversity and resilience. “The countries that continue to advance are those that invest in long-term capabilities – building strong institutions, strengthening regulatory systems, and planning for the future. Asia offers many examples of how governments can make steady, practical improvements even in a complex global environment.”

Watch the Forum Recording: https://bit.ly/4pDMwcX
Download the Presentation Here 

Viet Nam: a notable improver in Asia

Viet Nam has emerged as one of the region’s most significant improvers since the CGGI’s inaugural edition in 2021. It has risen 12 places over five years, from 60^th in 2021 to 48^th in 2025. It has strengthened six of the seven CGGI pillars, with notable gains in Leadership and Foresight (up 31 places) and Financial Stewardship (up 20 places). Viet Nam now ranks 30^th globally for Leadership and Foresight, supported by improvements in strategic prioritisation and long-term vision.

These gains reflect momentum in Viet Nam‘s public sector reform, including efforts to streamline administrative structures and modernise service delivery. These reforms align with the country’s goal of becoming a high-income nation by 2045.

Asia Pacific: diverse trajectories with strong performers

Asia Pacific remains one of the most diverse governance regions in the Index. In the 2025, Singapore (1), Australia (12), New Zealand (13), South Korea (17), and Japan (19) form the region’s top five performers. Their consistent performance over multiple editions underscores the value of long-term institutional investment. Singapore continues to demonstrate strengths in Leadership and Foresight, Strong Institutions, and Attractive Marketplace. New Zealand remains a global reference point for fiscal responsibility and public trust, while Japan maintains stability through strong regulatory quality and data capability.

Among emerging economies, Mongolia has risen 12 places, from 88^th in 2021 to 76^th in 2025, with gains in Leadership and Foresight, Financial Stewardship and Attractive Marketplace, supported by its Vision 2050 strategy and advances in digital service delivery. Indonesia has also strengthened national planning systems and regulatory governance, with improvements since 2021 in indicators related to strategic prioritisation, long-term vision, and administrative efficiency.

These developments reflect a broader global trend: governments that invest in capability see tangible progress relative to their peers. This dynamic is part of what the Index refers to as “governance competition”, where advances in one country raise expectations for others. “The CGGI shows that capability building matters. As countries improve faster, they raise the bar and set new benchmarks for everyone else. Standing still is no longer an option,” Naidu said.

A practical tool for governments

Designed by practitioners for practitioners, the CGGI offers governments practical benchmarks and insights to support long-term capability development. Countries use the Index to understand their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and learn from peers across the region.

“The Index is intended to support governments that are committed to long-term improvement,” Naidu added. “We hope today’s discussions contribute to a stronger, more capable, and future-ready Asia Pacific.”

The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We focus on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Just in time for engagement season, Azazie introduces its Elevated Little White Dress collection—a fashion-forward edit of modern bridal styles designed for every celebration leading up to “I do.” Thoughtfully crafted with elevated fabrics, couture-inspired details, and flattering silhouettes, each dress in the collection is priced under $250, making luxury bridal style more accessible than ever.

From surprise proposals and engagement parties to bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and bachelorette weekends, the Elevated LWD collection is a fresh take on modern bridal dressing. Think clean lines, flattering tailoring, and elevated details that feel fashion-forward yet timeless—perfect for brides who want to look unmistakably “bridal” without feeling overdone.

Each piece in the collection is thoughtfully designed to strike the balance between sophistication and ease. Delicate draping, subtle structure, luxe fabrics, and playful hemlines make these dresses ideal for both intimate celebrations and statement-making moments. Whether you’re saying “yes” at a candlelit dinner or toasting with friends at a rooftop soirée, these little white dresses are designed to move with you, whatever the moment calls for —and photograph beautifully while doing so.

True to Azazie’s commitment to accessibility, the Elevated LWD collection combines high-style design with approachable price points and inclusive sizing from 0–30, ensuring every bride can find a look that feels uniquely her. Designed to be worn well beyond the aisle-adjacent moments, these little white dresses transition effortlessly from engagement celebrations to future special occasions—proof that bridal style can be just as versatile as it is unforgettable.

As engagement season unfolds, Azazie’s Elevated Little White Dresses offer a modern wardrobe solution for brides who want to celebrate every milestone in style—confident, polished, and unmistakably themselves.

The Elevated Little White Dress collection is available now at Azazie.com.

• Establishment of new healthcare gateway in Chongqing amid the 10th anniversary of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative and as part of the 35^th anniversary celebration of Singapore–China diplomatic relations;
• Maiden investment in Chongqing marks Perennial Holdings’ sixth healthcare-centric TOD, further strengthening its footprint in China 

SINGAPORE, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Perennial Holdings Private Limited (“Perennial Holdings“) yesterday launched Perennial Healthcare City, adjacent to the Chongqing East High-Speed Railway (“HSR“) Station (“Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing“). Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing, which is majority owned and led by Perennial Holdings, is jointly developed with Chongqing Transportation Development and Investment Group Co., Ltd (“Chongqing Transportation and Investment Group“) and China Railway Construction Group Co., Ltd (“China Railway Construction Group“). Chongqing East HSR station is the largest and only national-level HSR hub in Western China.

The first phase of Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing, spanning approximately 140,000 square meters (“sqm“) and to be developed at a total investment cost of approximately RMB1.5 billion, will comprise a 500-bed Perennial General Hospital, a tertiary general hospital, and several specialist hospitals. This first phase is expected to progressively complete from 2028. Subsequent phases, measuring over 260,000 sqm, are expected to comprise eldercare, serviced residences, hospitality and commercial components, when executed.

The launch ceremony, which was held amid the 10^th anniversary of the China–Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (“Chongqing Connectivity Initiative“) and as part of the 35^th anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China, was graced by Guests-of-Honour, Mr Gan Kim Yong, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Mrs Josephine Teo, Singapore Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Cybersecurity & Smart Nation Group, Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Tan Kiat How, Singapore Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health, and Mr Peter Tan, Singapore’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. Special guests also included government officials of the Chongqing Municipal Government, Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office, Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Chongqing Connectivity Initiative Administration Bureau, Nan’an District and Jingkai District Economic Development Zone, Mr Shi Jidong, Party Secretary and Chairman of Chongqing Transportation and Investment Group, Mr Zhao Xiangdong, General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of China Railway Construction Group, as well as bankers, business partners and the media.

Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing will inject fresh momentum into the growth of the healthcare industry in Chongqing, a national central city with a total population of over 32 million, and the Western China region, which has a total population of over 360 million people.

Chongqing East HSR Station, a key intersection of five major corridors under China’s ‘Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal’ HSR plan, further elevates the strategic significance of Chongqing and the expansive reach of Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing. The station connects to seven HSR lines, two regular railway lines and four planned metro lines, and features 15 platforms and 29 arrival and departure tracks. This bustling transport hub is designed to handle an annual passenger volume of 55 million and will improve connectivity to the Western inland areas, the Eastern coastal region and the Pan-Asian HSR network to ASEAN. Domestic travellers will benefit from reduced transport times, reaching Chengdu, Qianjiang, Wanzhou and Guiyang within an hour, and Xi’an, Wuhan, Changsha and Kunming within three hours.

Mr Pua Seck Guan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perennial Holdings, said, “We are honoured to mark our maiden investment in Chongqing through the introduction of our signature healthcare-centric, integrated transit-oriented development (“TOD“). The establishment of Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing, strategically located adjacent to the largest and national-level HSR station in the country, is a fruition of the strong relationship between the governments of Singapore and Chongqing.”

Mr Pua, added, “By harnessing Singapore’s international healthcare standards alongside Chongqing’s high-quality medical resources, we aim to deliver exceptional medical services to the community and expatriates from multinational companies establishing regional headquarters in the city as part of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, through leveraging the excellent connectivity of Chongqing East HSR Station, positioning Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing as the definitive healthcare destination for Western China and beyond.”

Mr Shi Jidong, Party Secretary and Chairman of Chongqing Transportation and Investment Group, said, “Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing marks another landmark achievement of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, and is also the first premier healthcare development within the vicinity of the Chongqing East HSR Station. This development will bring international, high-quality medical and healthcare resources to the Chongqing East HSR Station zone, elevating services available to the community across the region.”

Mr Gan Kim Yong, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, said, “Congratulations to Perennial Holdings on this significant milestone. Located near Chongqing East HSR station, Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing integrates healthcare, commercial and community facilities with a major transport hub, supporting Chongqing’s development as a regional medical centre. As we mark the 10^th anniversary of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative this year, Singapore will continue to deepen our collaboration with Chongqing, including in newer sectors such as healthcare, for the benefit of our peoples.”

Perennial Holdings focuses on healthcare-centric large-scale TODs integrating medical care, eldercare and hospitality components. Together with Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing, Perennial Holdings has six healthcare-centric TODs in China connected to HSR stations, including Tianjin, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi’an and Guangzhou.

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About Perennial Holdings Private Limited (www.perennialholdings.com) 

Perennial Holdings Private Limited (“Perennial Holdings“) is an established integrated healthcare and real estate company headquartered in Singapore. The Company owns, manages and operates over 28,000 beds in medical and eldercare facilities, comprising about 17,000 operational beds and over 11,000 beds in the pipeline, across 16 cities in China and Singapore. In China, Perennial Holdings owns and operates the country’s first private integrated healthcare ecosystem, which combines a unique medical platform centred on partnerships with doctors and one of the largest private eldercare platforms in the country. Its comprehensive medical care facilities encompass general, rehabilitation, specialist and nursing hospitals, while its eldercare facilities include independent living, assisted living, nursing homes and dementia care. In Singapore, the Company will operate Perennial Living, the nation’s first private assisted living development and is set to launch Perennial Wellness, the country’s first-of-its-kind private integrated rehabilitation and traditional Chinese medicine centre, at Perennial Living and Jervois Road.

Perennial Holdings’ quality real estate portfolio spans over 84 million square feet in total gross floor area across China, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Company focuses strategically on large-scale transit-oriented developments (“TODs“), serving as enablers of its healthcare portfolio, and landmark integrated developments. It has seven TODs in China which are connected to high-speed railway (“HSR“) stations, of which six, located in Tianjin, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi’an, Guangzhou and Chongqing, are healthcare-centric, and one commercial-centric HSR TOD is in Hangzhou.